The Lib Dems poured resources into the contest as they successfully switched the focus of the campaign to Brexit in the staunchly Remain west London seat after Mr Goldsmith quit as a Tory MP to force the by-election so he could run as an anti-Heathrow expansion independent.

BORIS JOHNSON VOWS 'TO DEFEND AND PRESERVE' THE INTERNATIONAL ORDER

Boris Johnson is to warn the world risks slipping back into a "brutal" era where strong men dominate and democracy is in retreat.

In his first major speech as Foreign Secretary, Mr Johnson insists the UK must retain a leadership role in world affairs after Brexit.

The Foreign Secretary makes it clear he disagrees with Donald Trump's campaign stance that America may not come to the defence of some of the Baltic States unless they make a bigger financial contribution to Nato, but is backing the US president-elect's call for members of the organisation to ease the cost burden on Washington.

POST-BREXIT WORKFORCE SHORTAGE 'IN NO ONE'S INTEREST' - DAVID DAVIS

A flexible approach to immigration controls has been signalled by Brexit Secretary David Davis.

Mr Davis told business leaders that changes to migration rules after withdrawal from the EU would not be allowed to damage the economy.

The Brexit Secretary said that it was in no one's interest to see labour shortages in key industries.

STARS PAY TRIBUTE TO FAWLTY TOWERS ACTOR ANDREW SACHS

John Cleese has led tributes to Andrew Sachs, the actor best known for starring as Spanish waiter Manuel in Fawlty Towers.

Sachs was buried on Thursday at 86 after battling vascular dementia for four years, according to reports.

The German-born performer reportedly died at a care home on November 23.

ONE IN FOUR BRITISH MUSLIMS DOES NOT BELIEVE IN EXTREMISM, STUDY FINDS

British Muslims have a "deeply worrying" belief in conspiracy theories and almost half would not go to the police if they knew someone with links to Islamic State (IS), a major study has found.

Attitudes towards many issues, such as the NHS, unemployment and immigration, are broadly in line with the rest of the population, according to the Policy Exchange study.

But 31% of Muslims thought the United States government was behind the 9/11 terror attacks and 7% blamed Jews while just 4% believed al Qaida was responsible, the think-tank said.

FAITH SCHOOLS 'MORE SELECTIVE THAN GRAMMARS AND DO LITTLE FOR POOR PUPILS'

Faith schools are even more selective than grammar schools and do little for the poorest children in society, a report warns.

The Education Policy Institute's (EPI) research comes after Government plans to relax admission rules for faith schools.

Under new education proposals unveiled by Theresa May in September, faith schools will be allowed to select more pupils based on religion.

CRIMINALS TAKE JUST SIX SECONDS TO GUESS VISA CARD NUMBER AND CODE, EXPERTS FIND

Criminals can work out the card number, expiry date and security code for a Visa debit or credit card in as little as six seconds using guesswork, researchers have found.

Experts from Newcastle University said it was "frighteningly easy" to do with a laptop and an internet connection.

Fraudsters use a so-called Distributed Guessing Attack to get around security features put in place to stop online fraud, and this may have been the method used in the recent Tesco Bank hack.

TRUMP WANTS 'MAD DOG' GENERAL MATTIS TO LEAD PENTAGON

US president-elect Donald Trump is nominating controversial retired general James Mattis to be his defence secretary.

Mr Mattis, 66, retired from the Marine Corps in 2013 after serving as the commander of the US Central Command.

But his selection raises questions about increased military influence in a job designed to insure civilian control of the armed forces.

GRIEF TURNS TO FURY OVER COLOMBIA CRASH 'NO FUEL' REPORTS

Authorities prepared to fly home the bodies of dozens of victims of the Colombia plane crash as grief turned to anger over indications the jet ran out of fuel before smashing into the Andes.

Bolivian aviation chiefs announced they were suspending the charter company that operated the flight indefinitely.

Many of the victims were players and coaches from a small-town Brazilian football team on their way to the finals of one of South America's most prestigious tournaments after a fairytale season that had captivated their soccer-mad nation.

EDDIE REDMAYNE AND TIM PEAKE SET TO COLLECT HONOURS FROM QUEEN

Hollywood star Eddie Redmayne and British astronaut Tim Peake will collect honours from the Queen today.

The pair are among the recipients at an investiture ceremony taking place at Windsor Castle.

Oscar winner Redmayne, 34, is being awarded an OBE for services to drama, while Major Peake, 44, was recommended for Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.